Flasks for Hot Drinks

A flask for hot drinks means tea, coffee or soup on the sideline, the dog walk or the campsite, without queueing at a kiosk. This guide covers vacuum flasks, insulated bottles and travel mugs, plus sizes, lids and cleaning. Gløde does not sell flasks yet; we make heated clothing for long days outside.

Which flask suits you?

Type	Good for	Keep in mind
Vacuum flask with cup	Sharing tea or soup on the sideline, a picnic or the campsite	Bulkier, and pouring takes two hands
Insulated drinking bottle	Drinking on the move: walking, cycling, the commute	For hot drinks, choose a lid that controls the flow
Travel mug	Coffee in the car or on the walk to work; fits most cup holders	Usually keeps drinks hot for less time than a full flask
Food flask with a wide neck	Soup, porridge or stew	You eat from it with a spoon, not on the move

Steel or plastic? Most flasks today are vacuum-insulated stainless steel: two walls with a vacuum between them. They are sturdy and usually keep drinks hot for a long time. Plastic flasks are lighter, but usually keep drinks hot for a shorter time.

What to look for

• Leak-proof lid: a screw lid with a seal for in your bag; a push-button stopper is easier with one hand.
• Size for your day: choose a flask you will usually fill. One person on a dog walk needs much less than a family on the sideline.
• Wide neck: easier to fill and to clean, and handy for ice cubes in summer.
• Easy cleaning: a lid and seal that come apart, so no tea or coffee residue stays behind.
• Grip: a textured or matt outside is easier to hold with gloves on.

Warm drink, warm body

A hot drink warms your hands for a moment. For a long afternoon on the sideline, a walk or an evening at the campsite, warm layers do the rest.

• How to stay warm watching football: a flask, a warm layer and a dry seat for long matches.
• Warm dog walking clothes: what to wear on long winter walks.
• Heated clothing for camping: staying warm in a tent or campervan without mains power.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep tea hot for longer in a flask?

Pre-heat the flask with hot water for a few minutes, pour it out, then fill it to the top with your drink and close it straight away. Opening the lid lets heat escape, so pour what you need and close it again.

Vacuum flask or plastic flask?

A vacuum-insulated stainless steel flask usually keeps drinks hot much longer and is sturdier. A plastic flask is lighter and fine for a short trip. For long days outside, most people choose stainless steel.

Can I put soup in a flask?

Yes, but a food flask with a wide neck is easier to fill, eat from and clean. Thick soup is hard to pour from a narrow drinking flask and harder still to clean out afterwards.

Can a flask go in the dishwasher?

Check the label. Many vacuum flasks should be washed by hand, because a dishwasher can damage the outside or the seal. Lids and seals often come apart, so you can clean every part properly.

How big a flask do I need?

Think in cups. One person on a dog walk often manages with a travel mug or small flask, two people on the sideline with a medium flask, and a family at the campsite with a large one.